Google map vs apple map

Published: 19/11/2025

Google Maps and Apple Maps are two of the most used navigation apps in the world. People search for simple things like “does Apple Maps include traffic time?”, “do iPhones have Google Maps?”, “google maps with voice directions for iPhone”, and even “does Apple Maps consider traffic?” — all because they want to know which app works better for daily travel. Many also compare both for features like Street View on iPad, toll price checking, traffic rerouting, and walking navigation.

Since both apps offer routes, live traffic, voice guidance, and GPS support, the Google Maps vs Apple Maps debate keeps growing. This article will break down how each app performs, how they handle traffic, voice directions, street view, and what everyday users experience.

Table of Content

Let’s see which one suits you better.

What is Google Maps?

Google Maps is a navigation app that helps users find routes, check traffic, view satellite images, and access Street View on iPhone or iPad. It offers driving, walking, and transit guidance with voice directions and tools like traffic time, saved directions, and rerouting. It’s ideal for users who want detailed global coverage, advanced features, and strong accuracy for everyday travel.

What is Apple Maps?

Apple Maps is Apple’s built-in navigation app that provides turn-by-turn directions, traffic updates, lane guidance, and features like traffic light navigation and suggested vs fastest routes. It works smoothly across all Apple devices and supports tools like voice instructions, toll price viewing, and real-time rerouting. It’s best for iPhone and iPad users who want simple, clean navigation fully integrated with Siri and the Apple ecosystem.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps — Simple Comparison Table

Aspect	Google Maps	Apple Maps
Features	Street View on iPad, satellite view, walking navigation, saved directions, draw a route on iPhone, strong GPS-style accuracy	Clean UI, suggested vs fastest route, toll prices, shows traffic, works well with Siri, considers traffic
Pricing	Free	Free
Ease of Use	More detailed but slightly busier UI	Simple, clean, beginner-friendly
Pros	Best global coverage, strong GPS navigation, works with Siri (via Google Maps), great for Europe & Toronto, powerful UX	Smooth on iPhone, traffic-aware routing, easy driving directions, integrates with iOS
Cons	Can feel cluttered, direction icon sometimes confusing	Sometimes won’t talk, route won’t end for some users, fewer features than Google Maps
Best For	People who want full GPS-like power, Street View, bar maps, long-distance trips, and strong map UX	iPhone users who want simple navigation with Siri and Apple ecosystem
Extra Notes	Works better than many GPS-only apps	Some users on Reddit say “Apple Maps terrible,” but it improves yearly

Google Maps vs Apple Maps — Detailed Comparison

1. Ease of Use

When comparing their ease of use, both apps try to simplify navigation but take different approaches.

Google Maps

Easy to switch between walking navigation, driving directions, and transit.
Street View on iPad and iPhone is simple to access.
Clear direction icon and easier saved directions system.
Drawing a route on Google Maps on iPhone feels more flexible.

Apple Maps

Very clean interface with bigger buttons and simple layout.
Suggested vs fastest route is clearly visible.
Sometimes the app won’t end route or won’t talk, which affects usability.
Tends to show routes with fewer distractions but less detailed labeling.

Verdict:
If you prefer clear visuals and a clean screen, Apple Maps feels easier.
If you want more control and tools, Google Maps is better.

2. Features

When comparing features, Google Maps offers more tools, while Apple Maps focuses on essentials.

Google Maps

Strong satellite view on iPhone.
Street View works smoothly on iPad and iPhone.
Voice directions for iPhone work well.
Shows driving distance between two points easily.
Supports tracking an iPhone via Google Maps.
Has powerful search tools, bar maps, and global coverage.
Google Maps competitors often try to match Street View but fall short.

Apple Maps

Shows toll prices (in supported regions).
Traffic light navigation is now available.
Works with “Hey Siri directions” smoothly.
Apple Maps Europe and Apple Maps Toronto have improved coverage.
Reroutes for traffic and considers traffic conditions automatically.
Apple Maps truck navigation is limited.

Verdict:
If you want advanced tools like Street View or satellite view, Google Maps wins.
If you want simple, clean features with Siri support, go for Apple Maps.

3. Performance

When comparing their performance, both work well but behave differently depending on location and network.

Google Maps

Very reliable GPS performance and stable voice guidance.
Works well even in busy areas like Laredo or Tokyo.
Handles long routes better than many GPS-only apps (maps vs GPS comparison).
Rarely freezes or fails to end route.

Apple Maps

Smooth animations and fast loading on iPhone.
Sometimes won’t let users end route, which slows performance.
Voice guidance may stop (“Apple Maps won’t talk”) for some users.
Works well in Japan and Europe but still behind Google for global travel.

Verdict:
For consistent performance worldwide, Google Maps is stronger.
For smooth performance inside the Apple ecosystem, Apple Maps works well.

4. Support

When comparing support, both companies provide help, but Apple focuses on in-device integration.

Google Maps

Supports iPhone and iPad fully.
Strong help pages for problems like “how to get Street View on iPhone.”
Works with Siri using shortcuts (“Siri with Google Maps”).
Better support for third-party integrations and global UX patterns.

Apple Maps

Deep integration with iPhone settings, Siri, and CarPlay.
Supports traffic display and toll visibility.
Apple’s support helps with issues like “Maps won’t end route,” “Apple Maps sucks” complaints, or “Apple Maps terrible” glitches.
Works well with iPhone GPS, even when data is limited.

Verdict:
If you want wide support and more customization, Google Maps is better.
If you want support tightly built into iPhone features, Apple Maps fits better.

Pros & Cons of Both

A quick look at what Google Maps and Apple Maps do well and where they struggle.

Google Maps — Pros & Cons

Google Maps offers wide coverage and many navigation tools, so it’s useful to see where it leads well and where it feels limited.

Pros of Google Maps

Short points that show what Google Maps handles well.

Strong satellite view on iPhone.
Easy street view on iPhone and iPad.
Clear voice directions for iPhone.
Shows walking navigation and driving distance.
Works with Hey Siri directions using shortcuts.
Helps track iPhone with Google Maps.
Simple to draw a route on iPhone.
Useful in debates like Google Maps vs GPS or maps vs GPS.
Better coverage in places like Europe, Toronto, and Laredo.

Cons of Google Maps

Short notes on what feels weak.

Street View may not load everywhere.
Some find the screen busy.
Voice may stop for a few users.
Hard to remove labels on maps.
Can feel heavy compared to simple GPS apps.
Mixed feedback in Google Maps vs Here Maps talks.

Apple Maps — Pros & Cons

Apple Maps focuses on a clean experience and tight iPhone integration, so it’s helpful to know where it performs well and where it still falls short.

Pros of Apple Maps

Simple points showing where Apple Maps helps more.

Shows traffic time and reroutes for traffic.
Supports traffic light navigation.
Works well with Hey Siri directions.
Shows toll prices before starting.
Clean screen with easy controls.
Good in Europe, Japan, Toronto, and big cities.
iPhone GPS works even without data.

Cons of Apple Maps

Short lines showing its issues.

Sometimes won’t talk.
Often won’t end route.
Region issues cause km instead of miles.
No Google-style Street View.
Fewer deep layers than Google.
Mixed views in Apple Maps vs Waze.
Users complain (“apple maps sucks” or “terrible”).

Final Verdict

Google Maps vs Apple Maps comes down to what you need on the road. Google Maps suits users who want stronger global coverage, more tools like Street View on iPhone or iPad, voice directions, saved routes, traffic time, and better rerouting in mixed conditions. It also works well if you switch between devices or compare it with other Google Maps competitors like Waze or HERE Maps.

Apple Maps works better for users who stay inside the Apple ecosystem and want clean visuals, simple controls, traffic light navigation, toll price viewing, “Hey Siri” directions, and smooth performance across iPhone and iPad. It’s the easier choice for beginners and for anyone who wants fast, no-setup navigation. It also handles traffic factors, suggested vs fastest routes, and rerouting in a very simple way.

So, if you want more data-heavy tools and worldwide accuracy, choose Google Maps. If you want something clean, quick, and built for iPhone, choose Apple Maps.

Conclusion

Both apps guide you well, but they shine in different ways. Google Maps offers more features and wider coverage, while Apple Maps keeps things simple and tightly connected to your iPhone. Each one fits a different kind of traveler.